Managing Multiple Chronic Conditions

Yes, I absolutely experience this. Increased pain days mean I'll have much more fatigue than usual, more mood swings, more depression, more anxiety, less tolerance for physical stimuli (i.e., the smell of the hand soap I usually like will smell too strong and cause nausea). Days when my anxiety is high means within the next 24 hours I can usually expect a corresponding fibro flare. And so on. Really, at this point I try three things: 1. Triage --- I try to find a way to address the most pressing/distressing symptom first and let the others exist for now. Even a little thing that helps is a little thing that helps, if that makes sense. 2. Decide --- if I can't do anything, big or small, to address the most distressing symptom, at the very least I can do my best not to do anything that would make it any worse. For example, if I'm in a fibro flare with awful pain levels, today isn't the day to work out. It's just not. That would make my pain worse, which would then likely have a cascade effect. 3. General --- I have a list of things I can do that (generally) help most or all of my conditions, physical and mental, feel better, even just a bit; in other words, no matter what symptoms I'm having, I almost never feel worse or more distressed after trying one of these things. They include meditation, breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, tapping, binaural beats, and hydrating. You're not the only one. 💕

I have also experienced this. Stress makes my fibromyalgia pain worse and makes it hard to sleep. Anxiety will get really bad, etc. You’re not alone.

Hi! I experience having symptoms compound each other, too. I haven't found a solution yet. But I know to expect it now. Like get ready, the next one is coming!

I definitely experience this. Everything is connected in some way so it makes sense especially dealing with pain. Finding the original source that triggered everything and helping that usually helps me ❤️ if it’s stress that makes me flare I try my best to pause and rest when I can.